I was given what money cannot buy and few people can even understand

My 85, soon to be 86, year old daddy came to see me today. It was a surprise. Completely unannounced and unexpected. His lady friend had driven him up since his eyesight is failing. He poked his head in the door and yelled to see if anyone was home it startled me but only for a second as I reconized his voice right away. He looked great. His eyes still bright blue. He still has good hair that he parts to one side. Only in the last couple of years the grey has finally chased away the brown. His voice sharp and strong and his gait just slightly slower, but still quick enough to hunt rabbits and keep up with his dogs. We sat in the den and talked. He is current with the news and sports and always has an interesting converstation piece about someone. He has mellowed over the years but his love and passion for people and sharing the good news has never mellowed. Me, being the youngest of four, have always found that I claim a special place in his heart. We have gone coon hunting late at night. Broken our horses with grit and sweat. Raised endless litters of pups. I have not agreed with him on every subject. We did not see eye to eye on many issues. I was not a perfect teenager. He was not a perfect father. He could be hard and unfair. Or too soft and unaware. However, now that I am a mother and parent I realize what I was given. As they were leaving today to go eat lunch, my father paused to say a prayer. His weathered, calloused, hands grabbed mine and he spoke his words to the Father above. Gentle, caring, unconditional, unsuspecting words. How many more years or prayers does my blessed daddy have left? Only the Lord above knows, but this I do know. I was given something strong, something real. How humbling as I strive to give the same.